How to Prepare Your Home for Real Estate Listing Photos in Tucson, Arizona
YOUR FIRST SHOWING IS ONLINE!
From 2003 to 2013, according to the Tucson Association of Realtors, buyers who started their search on the Internet rose from 8% to 90%.
Today, it’s a given your first showing is on the Internet!
That is why have a real estate agent with an internet-focused marketing system is key. The first step in having a successful internet marketing campaign are quality photos and marketing video.
Before listing your home in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) having quality photos taken is a must before making your listing go live for the world to see.
Before photos are taken there are some critical things you, the homeowner, can do to prepare your home before the photos are taken to assure the best photos.
Clean and De-clutter
While this may sound painfully obvious, doing a thorough cleaning and putting away as many items on your counters and tabletops as possible will help to make space look larger and less personalized. This will allow people to better envision their items in the home instead of looking at yours. Imagine your home is a luxury hotel—that is the look you want to achieve. Be sure to wash all of your windows inside and out when you clean. This will maximize the amount of light coming into your home and brighten up the space making it feel larger in the photos.
Emphasize Curb Appeal and Backyard
The front and backyard of your home will likely be the first photo the prospect or agent will see. Pull the weeds, get rid of dead shrubs, and trim the trees. Be sure to mow your lawn, edge, and add fresh mulch in the garden beds to give your exterior a crisp, clean feel. Move vehicles, trash cans, hoses and yard tools out of the way and don’t forget to sweep porches and stairs, and clean up any patio furniture.
Make Your Kitchen Stand Out
Make sure your kitchen is staged for success. Remove all clutter from countertops. Make sure sink is empty and all dishes put away. Remove all magnets and photos from the refrigerator.
Spruce up Bathrooms
Hide all of your personal items prior to the shoot. Remove trash cans, add a fresh roll of toilet paper, and hang a few complimentary color towels in the space. Remember the idea of giving your home that luxury hotel feels, a strategy that applies to your bathroom as well. Consider including a candle next to the sink or bathtub, or add some potpourri in an elegant container.
Enhance Your Space with Lighting
Open all of your curtains and turn on all of your lights to maximize the look of your space. Be sure to include lights on your range hood and under cabinet lighting, and be sure to turn your ceiling fans off. If you have a particularly unattractive view from one of your window, you may want to consider keeping the blinds down, otherwise the more light the better!
Make sure all your light bulbs are working. If not replace burnt out light bulbs to maximize the lighting when the photos are taken.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
Remember, your listing photos are your opportunity to make a good first impression. If you don’t take the time to stage your home appropriately, you may be leaving money on the table when it comes time to accept an offer.
FREE Professional Photographer
If you’re thinking about selling your home anytime in the next 6 months, We would love to send our FREE professional photographer out to your home.
It is a good idea to have photos done in advance of inputting your listing into the MLS. This speeds up the process and allows us to go to work immediately in marketing your home and getting your home sold fast for the most amount of money.
A professional photo really adds something special to a home listing, and because most people search online for homes, your property will stand out with good photos. This is just one small way to ensure that your home sells faster and for a higher price.